The real story

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After reading the story that the Post-Gazette reported on bicycle safety during hunting season ("Hunting Season Is Bikers' Beware," Nov. 17) I immediately questioned the circumstances surrounding the story that Adam Maeroff shared with writer Larry Walsh.

As a volunteer site steward for Allegheny Land Trust, I have spent countless hours working along the Youghiogheny River Trail. During this time, I have never witnessed any of the outrageous acts that Mr. Maeroff described nor have I ever felt that my life was in danger.

Mr. Maeroff stated that while he was using the bicycle trail, he heard extensive gunfire before crossing paths with numerous hunters. He suspected that these men were hunting from the trail. After looking a little further into this story, I believe that the gunfire Mr. Maeroff heard while visiting the Youghiogheny River Trail on Saturday, November 10th, 2012 actually came from the Shaner Sportsmen Club in Rillton, PA (which is located on the hill directly across the river from the trail). I confirmed this information through a member of the club who was present at the scheduled 'shoot' for that particular afternoon. In addition, I confirmed that the Regional Trail Corporation does permit sportsmen to use the trail to gain access to adjacent properties where hunting is permitted.

With that being said, the simple fact is that Mr. Maeroff jumped to a conclusion because he was not familiar with the area and the policies of the RTC. The Youghiogheny River Trail is not the 'war zone' that he made it out to be.